Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-18
ROCK ISLANDS TRIBUTE.

sons Anniversary.
Friday evening, Jan. Sth, the Key City
Democratic club, of Dubuque, held its
second annual banquet in commemora-
ton of the seventy second anniversary
of Jackson. Among the prominent
democrats invited to the feast was V.
NJ. Blanding, of this city, who was pres
ent last year. Mr.. Blanding was unable
to be present in person this year, but he
sent very able substitute in the form
o. letter, which was read at the ban
quet, and which we copy from the Du-
buque Herald:
Rock ISLAND, III Jan. 8. 1887.
GENTLEMEN-Your invitation to the
annual banquet of the Key City Demo
cratic club, of the Sth of January, 1887,
came duly to hand.
Recalling to mind the many agreeable
"reminiscences connected with your ban
quet of year ago. | do assure you it is
with much reluctance deny myself the
qualification of accepting your invitation
for the coming anniversary. Sincerely
as wish it were otherwise, the nature
and extent of existing engagements will
deprive me OF the honor which would be
highly priced, and of participation in
festivities greatly to be appreciated
The object and operation of a political
club duly instituted, and its influence ex
erted under the proper limitations. are
not only commendable as an organize
ton but may also be made potent factors
in the diffusion of democratic principles
through increased vigor of purpose and
efficiency of action in the councils of the
democracy. 1t is therefore readily APP
parent, that, in your own city and coun-
ty, democratic club of your distinguish
ed merits and high character can be more
Than ordinarily instrumental in giving
expression and direction in the political
affairs of your locality, 10 the best
thought and purpose of intelligent eli
Zens and high minded incorruprible
democrats. 1t is not unreasonable to
expect that under able management and
wise control of political resources the
influence of your club will be felt upon
wider field than ysur immediate local
ity, that as club you may exert an &C.
tive influence in state affairs, and even
passing the boundaries of your own
state may participate in influencing the
conduct and direction of democratic
administration of national affairs
Your Key City club all Democratic
clubs. and the great mass of Democrats
throughout the country in localities not
susceptible of these organized agencies,
are one and all vitality interested in a
Democratic administration, which how
for the first time in quarter of a century
last past bears the burden and will be
held responsible for the right administra
ton of the executive department of the
general government. Fortunatelv-as it
seems to me-the financial condition and
general prosperity of the country under
the present democratic administration
offer no very tenabie grounds for sub
stantial hostile criticism BIZ our political
opponents. Whatever of an objection
able character exists may justly be con-
sidered legacy coming down from
former republican administrations, or
chargeable to factional opposition to
attempted democratic reforms The late
message of the president at the opening
OF the present session of congress, aud
the reports of the heads o. departments.
especially that of the secretary of the
treasury, contain fair and dispassiOnate
exposition of the general policy of the
administration. Upon the important
topic OF finance, in particular, the sec
retarys views are presented and elabor
ated with an ability, copiousncss of
information. and fairness of argument,
which have certainly arrested wide atten-
ton, and which in my humble opinion.
ought TO command very favorable consid-
Grafton in financial circles among intelli-
gent men whatever may be their political
prOclivities. True, some VARYING shades
of opinion exist among well known recog-
niZed democrats, whose fealty to dem
Ocracv is unquestioned, relative 10
what is at present sound admin
istrative policy upon certain lmpor>
tant questions, such as tariff legislation
and civil service, but with all the con-
trariety of views expressed the degree OF
variance is not greater than might natur>
ally be expected from the nature and in
tricacY of the subject,-nOt greater than
exists among our political opponents on
the same, subjects, and in all probable
ity no greater than necessary to the for
nation of healthy public sentiment, of
sound economic views, and their ultimate
crystilization into wise and effective leg
islation. Amidst the conflicting views
held by both political parties, and the
dissimilarity of opinion in the ranks OF
each party, on the important questions of
tariff and finance, there is no occasion
and no disposition among democrats in
general to assume the role of aDolOgists,
nor to harshly criticise the administration
for its attitude before the country; we
still say with pride it is our admininistra
ton, and democratic administration
As long as the national democratic
party faithfully adheres to the fundamen-
tel principles of constitutional freedom.
in legislative, Judicial and executive
action-so long as it is recognized to be
party faithful to the principles and
teachings of true democracy and tower
OF strength for the protection and welfare
of the masses, the millions-sO long will
the democratic party continue to exist
and be cherished in the hearts of the PEG
pie and be potential in the affairs of our
government.
Please accept for yourselves, and con-
veY to the members of the club, nv s;n>
cere thanks for the courtesy of an invita-
ton to yonr banquet. with assurances of
continued esteem and warm political
regard. Very truly yours,
V. NJ BLANDING.